Mahinda Rajapaksa

Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters

News about Mahinda Rajapaksa, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jan. 12, 2015

Memo from South Asia; new Sri Lankan Pres Maithripala Sirisena, who came out of nowhere to defeat longtime incumbent Mahina Rajapaksa, promises voters weaker presidency, and his move toward democracy adds to growing regional trend; says nation needs human being as leader, not a king. MORE

Jan. 10, 2015

Maithripala Sirisen is sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president after startling upset over Mahinda Rajapaksa; his election could upset Sri Lanka's alliance with China, which flourished under Rajapksa, and included Chinese-funded infrastructure projects that Sirisen views as examples of potential colonization by China. MORE

Jan. 9, 2015

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa concedes after unanticipated loss of presidential election; former Health Min Maithripala Sirisena will take oath of office. MORE

Jan. 7, 2015

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa faces strong competition in his re-election bid in January, and his astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena faces ultimate test of his skills in pointing out auspicious timing for Rajapaksa's political acts; astrologer acts as Rajapaksa's spiritual adviser, political consultant and life coach. MORE

Dec. 26, 2014

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa is promising reforms and other concessions should he win January 2015 election, his confidence shaken by defections of former loyalists from his governing coalition and their efforts to block his re-election; China, India and United States are observing situation closely due to country's strategic importance; it is unclear why allies were suddenly willing to risk taking on Rajapaksa after years of loyalty. MORE

Dec. 4, 2014

Number of prominent Roman Catholic priests and laypeople in Sri Lanka are appealing to Pope Francis to delay his January visit, saying government is using it as propaganda to simply pope’s support for Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking unprecedented third term in office. MORE

Nov. 21, 2014

Sri Lanka's Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa signs official proclamation confirming he will seek re-election for an unprecedented third term two years ahead of schedule. MORE

Aug. 23, 2014

Editorial contends that Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa should cooperate with the United Nations investigation into crimes committed during his country’s civil war. MORE

Mar. 1, 2014

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa rejects calls for an international investigation into accusations of massacres and human rights violations during the final phase of the country's civil war, which ended in 2009. MORE

Nov. 14, 2013

Editorial calls on leaders who are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka to insist that the country's government show meaningful progress in addressing human rights abuses; notes Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa has had a record of serious human rights violations and has failed to provide accountability for abuses during the country's civil war. MORE

Sep. 22, 2013

Tamil National Alliance wins sweeping victory in northern Sri Lanka's first provincial elections in 25 years, despite campaign of dirty tricks by its opponents; Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa has concentrated government power in his and his family’s hands, giving provincial councils little power, but analysts say his efforts at reconciliation with Tamils is becoming increasingly important. MORE

Feb. 5, 2013

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa appears to rule out greater political autonomy for country's Tamil ethnic minority, despite promising for years to support idea in wake of bloody civil war. MORE

Jan. 16, 2013

Sri Lankan Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa swears in trusted aide Mohan Peiris to replace Shirani Bandaranayake, chief justice he fired; move could lead to judicial crisis if lawyers and judges who view it as illegal refuse to cooperate. MORE

Jan. 14, 2013

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa impeaches Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in culmination of widely criticized process that has crippled nation's courts and may start constitutional crisis; religious leaders and pro-democracy activists view move as power grab by Rajapaksa. MORE

Jan. 12, 2013

Sri Lanka’s Parliament votes overwhelmingly to impeach nation’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, significant step in worsening showdown between legislature and judiciary; Pres Mahinda Rajapaksa must now decide whether he is willing to take last step in impeachment process. MORE

Nov. 9, 2012

Sri Lanka's Parliament has initiated impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who is charged with, among other things, misusing her position and failing to adequately declare her assets; critics say actions are effort by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to curb independence of judiciary and consolidate her power. MORE

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